What next for Venezuela after the referendum?

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez waves to supporters from the balcony of the Presidential Palace.

Preliminary results released by Venezuela's top electoral officer suggest President Hugo Chavez appears to have won a referendum on his leadership.

Officials from the National Electoral Council said that, with 94% of ballots counted, Mr Chavez had 58% of the vote.

Venezuela's opposition rejects the referendum's results and described them as a fraud.

The ballot was the latest attempt by the opposition to oust Mr Chavez from the presidency.

The president's opponents called the referendum, accusing him of dictatorial behaviour and economic mismanagement.

But his supporters say he is the first leader to care about Venezuela's poor.

What is the future for Venezuela after the referendum? How can people in Venezuela reunite? What is the possible global impact of the situation in Venezuela? Can international organizations help at all? Send us your comments

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